Streeessssed Chickie! Help!

[urbanchickiemom]

My Maran is being harassed by the Barred Rock (both hens)....
Now it's running circles around the ladder and jumps in and out of the coop...
I am so upset! So is she!
A neighbor suggested I use a squirt gun and squirt the Barred Rock every time she goes to attack the Maran...what do you think?! It's desperate! The Maran's eggs are mottled now with spots...
sighhhhh
www.urbanchickiemom.com

 

[easttxchick]

Can you pull the aggressor out for a couple of days? That will sometimes help as it knocks them down in the pecking order.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

How much space do they have? Is there somewhere for her to go to hide? How long have they been together? How old are they?





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[urbanchickiemom]

Okay...
they are 6 months old...to answer the questions...thanks btw, for answering!!!!...(if you are kind enough to take a peek at my blog: www.urbanchickiemom.com you can see the new extended run for my four hens)...
One thing is that we don't handle them...I never felt it necessary, nor did I think they "liked" it...we all get along fine and they are docile and loving when I am in the coop feeding/watering/treating them.
Not sure how to "put one out" any suggestions? I could possibly fence off one section of the run till she calms down...but that would require my husbands time and right now the need is now...

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Wow - what a nice set up you have! All chickens should be that lucky!! That is more than enough room for the BR to not be such a brat. Now that the hormones are raging, she just might be that way, unfortunately. I know it's harder when you have only 4 birds, but if it were me, I'd rehome her and find a new bird that lays light brown eggs...it's not fair to the marans hen...

 

[urbanchickiemom]

Thanks for looking at our Coop! I am going to send my husband your reply, he will love that...he worked so hard on it....and he "doesn't like animals" ahahhahah....he loves his chickens...

Regarding my babies...I was afraid of that...and thinking I might give her up but I was thinking of getting rid of the meanie...AND, when you reintroduce, doesn't that also cause issues?!
So, no one is for the squirting method of training?! lol. My neighbor is adorable...he just wanted to help...
Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Quote:
Yes, sorry I was unclear, that's what I meant, I would get rid of the barred rock too...keeping in mind, of course, that once she is gone, there will be a pecking order shift, and if the marans is so far to the bottom of the totem pole, whoever takes the boss hen title might start in on her then too...